The Mommy & Lexie Story

About Me

Lou Ann

Mom to Lexie from Aktau Kazakhstan, whom I adopted between May 20 thur July 20, 2007 (go to those posts if you'd like to read about my time in Kazakhstan.) Lexie is a funny, intelligent, outgoing and sensitive little girl and I couldn't be happier or more blessed to be her mommy.

Map of Kazakhstan

The day finally came - HALLOWEEN!!! And the real costume came out. Raggedy Ann was just for school since I couldn't let her wear her real one all day for class. Lexie really wanted to be a princess (like a million other 4 year old girls) and I refused to give Disney another dime. When I saw this costume on line I knew this was perfect for Lexie so I explained to her that the Queen is in charge of ALL of the princesses.....and she bought it!! So here she is my Queen of the Nile - Cleopatra.

She first got to wear this to dance class on Wed.

They were all adorable and still taking their lesson seriously. So cute!

Then this morning I decided if she asked me one more time when she could put her costume on and go trick or treating, I'd have to show her just what a trick was. So I took her to JUMP which just opened in Gig Harbor a few weeks ago to get a little (okay a LOT) of energy out.

She had a ball, made a new friend, didn't ask me about her costume all morning and took a two hour nap!! I love this place and I'm sure we'll be back.

After that lovely nap we had a light dinner, got her dress and headed down to Gig Harbor for the crazy street party. And best of all NO RAIN!!! They have predicted rain for Halloween for the last 10 days so I should have known it would be dry. Must be nice to make 6 figures and be wrong most of the time!

This is the night time Cleo. Poor thing had 2 long sleeved shirts and 2 heavy pair of tights on under the dress. And it ended up being about 55 degrees.

It was crazy and crowded this year. We live in a very small town but I think everyone from miles around came to downtown Gig Harbor to see and be seen.

We did run into a few friends. Even Glenda and her side dish the Tin Man (what? you hadn't heard that they are an item!)

It was so crowded even the birds took off.

But Lexie had fun and even met a new friend - Rapunzel. Lexie was so cute. She would tell everyone who she was, then say "Now let's be friends." I think she and Rapunzel are meeting for a tea party next week.

The Peacock (or as Lexie calls it the Pea Hawk) was one of my favorites homemade costumes this year.

Lexie just had to stop and ride the horse like last year. I told her I really didn't think Cleopatra road a horse but she insisted that she did. Who am I to argue with the Queen?

After the crowds of Gig Harbor we headed back to Port Orchard for the local Harvest Festival and a little miniature golf...

a ride in a carriage...

some fishing...

a little treasure hunt....

a really fun cake walk - at least Lexie was having fun. Not so sure about the boy next to her.

This was when she won. Who knew what fun winning a Ding Dong was?

There were several other games that were all a lot of fun but this one was my favorite. Do you know what she was tossing?

Fish and bread into the baskets!!! Can you tell this was held at a church?!

After too much fun and way to much candy, we headed home with just a couple of stops for actually door knocking. But I've saved the best for last. Here is Lexie telling me who she was for Halloween as I was getting her out of her costume and ready for bed.

Today was a big day for Ms Lexie Lou. We started out with her Halloween party at school and of course she got to wear her costume.

Pretty cute hue!??

And she LOVED her tights as you can see. She thought they were sooo cool!!

Then we were off to school where she literally skip the whole way into class.

I had time to stay for a few minutes while the kids got ready to go trick-or-treating to the other offices in the building. But first they made them change into their slippers which didn't make sense but I talked her into going with the flow.

Here they are lined up ready to go. The little girl behind Lexie told me her mommy forgot to dress her up so she's just plain Bennett today. I told her no that she's anything but plain she's a butterfly like on her shirt. She's so sweet!! And don't you love pooh too!

And they're off!

How adorable are they? Strawberry Short Cake was one of my favorites.

There was a whole flock, bunch, gaggle of princesses (what do you call a group of princesses?), 2 Buz Lightyears, a policeman (he is NOT a cop) and even Avatar. All this in pre-school.

After trick-or-treating around the building they returned for snacks and then they broke open a witch pinata (Lexie's favorite part) and were read some scary Halloween stories. Sadly I had to miss all that and go to work but Lexie said it was a great day at school.

﻿I was surprised when I picked her up that the wig was still on even if the make up was pretty smeared.

Then we were off to piano lessons.

The braids keep getting in the way so off came the wig. Then it was home for a quick dinner and off to the fall festival at one of the local elementary schools.

It seemed to be very crowed this year but Lexie still enjoyed all the games and candy..

The cupCake Walk was a big hit

and her gaming skills have improved.

She was very disappointed though that she wasn't big enough to "Be a Candy Corn." Even when I was putting her down to sleep tonight she mentioned that 4 year olds just aren't big candy corns. Poor baby!

But riding this bike powered windmill seemed to make up for her lack of Candy Corn height.

She still had a smile on her face even when we came home, had a quick snack and she hit the hay.

This was 2 days before Halloween. I don't know if the real day will live up to today.
Hope everyone enjoys thier spooky weekend!

If you remember a few posts ago Lexie telling me that the pumpkins might be afraid to be painted, well you can see she was very gentle and no pumpkins where harmed during their painting. Lexie told me they like it because it tickles. So these are happy painted pumpkins!

So painted pumpkins - CHECK!

Cleaned out pumpkin for carving.....

CHECK (only because Mommy did it. This was the only time Lexie had her hand in the pumpkins!)

Happy with the carving - CHECK!

Pumpkin has the bigger head - CHECK! (even though Lexie said she did - not!)

Second pumpkin carved & drawn on & bejeweled - CHECK!

So can you guess what they are? This should help. Here they are with their creator.

And here is the whole royal family - CHECK, CHECK & CHECK!!!

Now for a few little teasers as to what Lexie will be for the big holiday.

A CHILD IN BLOOM

As I embark on this adventure to Aktau, Kazakhstan to adopt my first child, this painting of a Rose comes to mind. I've always loved how all the adult hands surround and protect the baby's hand but at the same time are open enough for the tiny fist to grow. That's how I see this whole adoption process. So many people with one child's best interest at heart. And with each person giving this child a hand she will bloom into the best person she can be. God has given me a wonderful gift by allowing me to help this child learn and grow. I'm so grateful to all the people who have supported me (and I hope will continue to support me) through this life challenging experience.